Politics

The Emergence of Conservative Affection for Israel

William D. Rubinstein

In recent years the State of Israel has become an object of deep affection for many of the Western world’s conservatives, especially in the United States. For example, in his campaign material, Senator Ted Cruz—probably the most conservative of the Republican candidates at the recent presidential election—stated, “We stand with Israel. We must make it clear that the US–Israel alliance is once again a strategic bedrock for the United States.” This was not simply a campaign ploy for votes, since few American Jews were likely to vote for him, but what appears to be a sincere commitment. “Ted Cruz Loves…